The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-09-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent


WASHINGTON, d. c., Aug. "a, 1887.
Secretary Lamar's decision referring
to settlement of the indemnity lands
that were granted by Congress to the
Atlantic & Pacific railroad company has
come to be regarded as political deal,
designed for the double purpose ofhelp-
ing the waning fortunes of Cleveland
and and conciliating the settlers upon
public lands, whom the ruinous and
short-sighted policy of Commissioner
Sparks has offended almost beyond
measure. That the railroad and the
others affected by the order will not
surrender without great fight is clear, |
and 30 the misguided settlers who
"squat" upon these lands will find to
their sorrow that they have become in
volved in interminable litigation with
wealthy corporations. But, what cares
Cleveland for the woes of the poor
squatters, if he can only make some
cheap political capital that will temper
arily serve his purpose in ambitioning a
second term.
The report of the appointments of
shows that the Democratic spoilsmen
have gained rich harvest in this field
of reform" 1t shows that for the last
fiscal year 3,04S new postoffices were es-
tablished; number discontinued, 500;
appointments on designations and COM
missions expired, 5,S63; on removals
and suspensions, 1854; on changes of
names and sites, 1872; on deaths of
postmasters, $50. The whole number of
appointments of allgrades of postmast-
ers during the year was 1909. The
total number of appointments for the
years 1885 and 1886 was 22,747 and 9,547,
respectively. making total of AZ, 1878 for
the three years. This is pretty near
approach to a clean sweep, and the few
Republicans who are still in office will
likely have to 20 out IN another year.
The cordial endorsement of Mr.. Blaine
by the Pennsylvania Republican State
convention is received with great salts
faction by host of his ardent admirers
at the Capital, who claim that this move
ment now puts the Name statesman on
his feet, neck and neck with the Ohio
Senator in the great Presidential race of
1888. That Senator Sherman and Mr..
Blaine are at present the two most pop
ular and prominent candidates in the
Republican party goes without saying,
and with the admirable staying quail
ties possessed by both, it is highly prob
able that each will run until the home
stretch is reached, when one of them
will perhaps be led out to distance
Cleveland in the great sweepstakes.
Since writing you last, the Secretary
of the Navy has taken other important
steps in constructing the navy, by award,
the contract for building two gunboats
| and three steel cruisers, of the latest i'm.
G proved modern designs with the fullest
speed, capacity and general equipment
The Secretary has also given an English
company the prize eff SIS, 900 authorized
by Congress for the best design of tor.
pedo boat, and the probability is that
such destructive vessel will at no dis
tant day be added to the navy.
s Great science dropped her head in
sorrow when the light faded from the
weary eyes of the genius of the world
noted Smithsonian Instition, Spencer F
s Baird. This devotee of science, though
one of the ripest scholars of the age, was
lifelong student in the profession to
| which he dedicated himself in early
f life with a passionate devotIan only
quenched by the shadow of the grave
itself. Professor Baird who was chiefly
r instrumental in establishing and bring
ing to its present proportions the United
States Fish Commission, and for the
benefcent work, which will be assoclat
ed with his memory throughout many
years, the American people owe the
dead scientist debt of gratitude thai
should be perpetuated in towering mar
BILE. "Verily, his works do follow him, >
, for millions of silvery fish that sport and
sparkle IN our limpid, sparkling waters
are the bright evangels of his fame
Nicely Drowned with a mealy potato
these fish are very good eating.